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United States do not recognize holding elections for Russian Duma on sovereign Ukrainian territory – Department of State
KYIV. Sept 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The U.S. Department of State declares its non-recognition of the Russian parliamentary elections on September 17-19 in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia.
"Furthermore, we do not recognize holding elections for the Russian Duma on sovereign Ukrainian territory and reaffirm our unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," said officials said in a statement posted on the U.S. Department of State website on Monday.
The State Department also said the elections took place under conditions not conducive to free and fair proceedings, and the adoption of a number of laws severely restricted political pluralism and prevented the Russian people from exercising their civil and political rights. Russian government restrictions, which were preceded by widespread efforts to marginalize independent political figures, also prevented the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and its Parliamentary Assembly from observing the elections, constricting transparency that is essential to fair elections).
"These actions contradict Russia’s obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as its commitments to the OSCE and other international and regional bodies. We call upon Russia to honor its international obligations to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to end its pressure campaign on civil society, the political opposition, and independent media," according to the statement.
